Tamaki, Jullian This One
Summer. 320 pgs.
First Second, 2014. $17.99 Content: Language: PG13 (14 swears); Mature
Content: PG13; Violence: G. GRAPHIC NOVEL
Rose is with her
parents at their summer rental home at Awago Beach. Just like every summer she spends
time with her best summer friend Windy. The girls are just at the cusp of
childhood versus growing up. They can play and be totally silly, but are
interested in their changing bodies and what the sexual exploits of the teens
that have summer work at the beach. Various sub plots about pregnancy come
together as Rose’s Moms depression over a miscarriage directly effect their
families happiness and a teen in the area finds out she is pregnant.
Let me start by
saying that the illustrations, especially of water are just stellar.
Considering the whole book is in grey scale, the artist really made use of
every variation and is talented. I didn’t enjoy the story at all. I felt like
the purity of the girls friendship and transitions were over complicated by the
other plot elements. I don’t think many teens will relate at all to the mom’s miscarriage
depression, which is a large part of the story. They might not like reading
about transitions they have already gone through. Younger girls who would
relate to that transition, would probably be too young for the other plot
elements such as the sexual content.
HS –NO Reviewer:
Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.
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1 comment:
I agree. I have to wonder what the Caldecott committee was thinking! This beautifully illustrated graphic novel (and Caldecott honor and Printz honor) tells the story of a summer at the lake, two friends and the lives that change around them. There is a lot going on, (no spoilers, but there really is a lot of content) and it's quite mature for even middle schoolers. Hard to recommend. Award winner? Based on just the pictures, I'd agree, but put them in context with the story and I'd let the high school age students read this one.
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